Youth for Experience
A trade was finalized between the Alaska Aces and the Phoenix Fuel Masters with the Aces exchanging seven-year league veteran RJ Jazul for sophomore guard Simon Enciso according to a source from the Phoenix side.
“We already agreed with the terms in a meeting held with Alaska,” said a source from Phoenix who requested anonymity. “The paperwork is already being worked on and will be sent to the PBA office as early as Monday.”
Jazul, 30, was a pivotal piece in Alaska’s run to the quarterfinals. With Chris Banchero missing the majority of the conference, the resident of Pasay City was the main backup of Jvee Casio. He started three games for the conference in averaged 9.5 points and 3.4 assists.
The wealth of experience Jazul has is what made Phoenix pull the trigger on the trade said the same source.
“We were looking for a veteran presence at the guard spot,” the source added.
Enciso, who is just 26 years old, averaged career-highs during the Fuel Masters’ run to the quarterfinals during the Philippine Cup. He was the team’s second leading scorer at 12.7 points per contest to go along with 3.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists.
The 17th overall pick in the 2015 draft will join Casio, Banchero, and Exciminiano in a still loaded Aces backcourt.
